Drought Tolerant Plants
By Lee Oliphant, Master Gardener
| A: In our Mediterranean climate, it =
is wise=20
to consider using plants that can survive with little =
supplementary=20
water. Whether or not drought conditions continue, it is =
unlikely=20
that California will ever receive the significant summer =
moisture=20
needed to keep gardens green.=20
There are a variety of plants that fall into the drought = tolerant=20 category. Some are endowed with leaf hairs that diminish air = movement across the leaf surface, lessening evaporation. = Some=20 drought tolerant plants have leaves with a waxy coating, = reducing=20 water lost by evaporation. Drought tolerant plants often = have thick=20 leaves and/or enlarged roots that store and utilize whatever = water=20 is available to them. Many California natives are good choices for gardens with = little=20 water. Yarrow, Ceanothus, coyote bush, coral bells, = succulents, and=20 matelija poppies fall into this category. Many Mediterranean = plants=20 are also suited to arid climates. Agapanthus, plumbago, = breath of=20 heaven, fortnight lily, pride of Madeira, crane?s bill, = Gaura, coast=20 rosemary, and lavender are drought tolerant and thrive in = Central=20 Coast gardens. Once your new plants are established, you may = not=20 need supplemental water for many of these California natives = and=20 Mediterranean plants to survive. |
![](3D"file:///C:/Users/Mom/Documents/webmaster/websites/mg/untitled.jpg"=) Blue ceanothus under yellow =
flannel=20
bushCopyright UC = Regents |